Mohammed Shami’s international future hangs in doubt after a BCCI official revealed he declined to play for India A during the England tour earlier this year. The claim contradicts Shami’s public statements about lack of communication from selectors, exposing a rift between the veteran pacer and the board.​

The England Opportunity

According to a senior BCCI official, selectors were desperate to include Shami for the five-match Test series in England, knowing Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t play more than three matches. “Who wouldn’t want a bowler of his calibre in English conditions?” the official told PTI, referring to the series India eventually drew 2-2.​

A senior selection panel member sent multiple messages to Shami, requesting he play at least one India A game against England Lions in either Canterbury or Northampton. This would have assessed his Test match fitness ahead of the series.​

Shami reportedly declined, saying he still needed to build his workload and shouldn’t be considered for the assignment.​

The Communication Debate

Shami has publicly stated selectors haven’t communicated with him. Speaking to reporters before the Ranji Trophy season started in October, he said, “If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal. If I can play four-dayers, I can also play 50-overs cricket”.​

The BCCI official disputed this narrative. “There have been multiple times that national selectors and support staff from the BCCI Centre of Excellence have called to check on Shami. So the narrative that there was no communication with Shami isn’t an absolute truth,” the official stated.​

The sports science team has his medical reports and can assess whether his body can handle international cricket’s rigors.​

Fitness Concerns Remain

Despite bowling 93 overs in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, serious questions persist about Shami’s readiness for international cricket. At 35, with a history of career-threatening injuries including a heel surgery after the 2023 World Cup and a knee operation a decade ago, selectors remain cautious.​

Specific concerns include how many overs he can bowl in one spell, whether he can take the field without breaks after each spell, and his current pace. During his peak, Shami regularly clocked above 135 kmph and sometimes touched 140. Now, his average speed hovers around 130 kmph.​

For Bengal, Shami hasn’t bowled the long spells required at international level. He typically bowls four-over spells with multiple breaks during a day’s play. There are fears that at his age and injury history, he could break down mid-Test match.​

International Future Bleak

Shami last played for India during the Champions Trophy in March. Since then, he’s fallen off the radar in Tests and T20Is, where Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep have rapidly climbed the pecking order.​

ODI cricket seems his only remaining option, but with the next World Cup in 2027, traveling with a 37-year-old with an extensive injury history appears imprudent. Shami has played 197 internationals across three formats, and that tally may not increase much further.​

Ganguly Backs Shami

Former BCCI president and current Cricket Association of Bengal chief Sourav Ganguly has thrown his support behind Shami. “Shami is great; he’s bowling exceptionally well. You saw in the 2-3 Ranji Trophy matches where he’s won Bengal on his own,” Ganguly said at an event in Kolkata.​

“If you ask me in terms of fitness and skill, it’s Mohammed Shami we know of. So I really don’t see any reason why he can’t be playing Test matches, ODIs or T20Is for India because that skill is enormous,” Gangulu added.​

Ranji Trophy Performances

Shami has made a strong start to the Ranji season, claiming 15 wickets in his first two matches and playing a pivotal role in Bengal’s victories against Uttarakhand and Gujarat. However, he skipped Bengal’s ongoing match against Railways in Surat after playing the first three games.​

He’s expected to return for the home match against Assam at Kalyani starting November 16. After that, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will provide another platform to impress prospective IPL bidders ahead of December’s auction.​

The IPL Factor

With international opportunities dwindling, Shami may be focusing on securing another lucrative IPL deal. At 35, franchise cricket offers better financial security than chasing an increasingly unlikely international comeback.​

The upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy becomes crucial—not to convince India selectors, but to showcase his T20 skills to IPL franchises willing to pay premium prices for proven match-winners.

Where Things Stand

The standoff highlights a breakdown in trust. Shami feels ignored by selectors. The BCCI says he turned down opportunities to prove his fitness. Both sides have valid concerns—Shami about being sidelined despite domestic performances, selectors about his ability to handle international workloads.

Unless Shami accepts playing for India A to demonstrate Test fitness or accepts his international career may be over, this stalemate will continue. At 35 with mounting injury concerns, time isn’t on his side.